Getting oriented
This guide is for anyone browsing a published NaturaList project - whether you received a link, installed the app on your device, or are exploring a project embedded in a website. No knowledge of how the data was created is needed.
The main screen
When you open a NaturaList project you land on the main screen, which has three permanent areas:
- Top bar - navigation and the view configuration button.
- Analysis panel (left/centre) - the results of your current view and filters viewed through the analysis tool you chose.
- Search & filter panel (right, or collapsed behind a toggle on mobile) - all controls for searching and narrowing the data through filters.
The top bar
Hamburger button (☰) - opens the Side Menu.
Project name - the name of the loaded dataset, shown in the centre.
View configuration button (right side) - shows the active analysis tool name and, when occurrence data is present, the active data scope (Taxa or Occurrences). Tapping it opens the Configuration dialog where you switch analysis tools and adjust view settings.
On secondary screens (Details, Manage, etc.) the hamburger is replaced by a ← Back to search button.
Navigating the menu
The side menu slides open from the ☰ hamburger button in the top-left corner. It contains all project-level navigation and configuration options.
Menu items
Optional items are shown only if the project author configured them in the Customization table.
About - (optional) project description and background. May include links, images, or formatted notes about the dataset.
How to Cite - (optional) citation text for the dataset. Use this to reference the data in publications or reports.
Identification Keys - (optional) step-by-step identification tool. See Identification Keys for a full walkthrough.
Literature - (optional) full bibliography of references cited throughout the dataset.
Share URL - copies or shares the current URL, including your active filters, so you can send the exact view to someone else or bookmark it. The link encodes everything: active filters, text search, active tool, and language.
Pinned Searches - saved filter combinations you can return to. See Pinned Searches.
Languages - (optional) switch the interface language. Shown only on multilingual projects. Data and labels update to match the selected language.
Manage - data upload and publishing area for project editors. See the Author Guide for details.
Documentation - link to this user documentation site.
About NaturaList - information about the NaturaList platform itself.
Footer information
At the bottom of the side menu you can see:
- The NaturaList version currently running.
- The last-updated date of the dataset you loaded.
- Whether offline storage is active on your device - if it is, the project will work without an internet connection after its first load.
Status banners
Two informational banners may appear above the analysis panel:
- Draft notice (amber) - the loaded data is a preview that has not yet been published. A link takes you to the Manage screen to finalise.
- Modified parameters (blue) - one or more view configuration parameters are set to a non-default value. A ↺ Reset to defaults button restores them all in one click.